Our Coalition Partner WFD and the UK Political Studies Association (PSA) Specialist Group Autocracy and Regime Change (ARC) are calling for submissions for a series of editor-reviewed policy briefs examining the authoritarian eco-system. Authoritarian regimes, which now make up much of the world’s political systems, have developed complex ecosystems that blend repression, censorship, manipulated democratic institutions, and digital innovations like AI and disinformation to maintain power. These systems not only sustain authoritarian rule but also complicate engagement for policymakers in democracies, who must navigate competing security, economic, and diplomatic priorities. To address this, ARC and WFD are launching a series of six to eight policy briefs that will synthesize academic research on the key pillars of authoritarian rule, assess their domestic and international challenges, and propose actionable policy directions. Scholars are invited to submit abstracts by 3 October 2025, with selected papers to be published in May 2026.
